"Why does everyone always say me?"
"Because it's always you," Sully points out.
"Name one time."
"Last year you challenged Coach to a dance-off," Bouch says.
"And won," Fish adds proudly.
"You didn't win," Nelly says quietly. "You fell into the dessert table."
"Minor detail."
Our food arrives and we dig in. The conversation flows more easily now. Less about hockey. More about life.
"Anyone got holiday plans?" Bouch asks.
"Going back to Quebec with Issy and my sisters,” Pierre says.
This grabs my attention. I’m off to Wisconsin with Sully to see the sisters and our parents. We have Christmas all together with Sully’s parents.
“I’m going to Aspen with Harper’s friends.”
“Of course you are, you’re so bougie,” Bouch teases.
“He’s dating a billionaire, of course he is,” Fish states. “Is that hard?”
“Dating a woman richer than me?” Felix asks, and they all nod. “Not really. I don’t notice it until I do. I forget sometimes who she is until we are in those circles. At least I know she’s with me for me and not my money.”
“Damn puck bunnies,” Fish says, shaking his head.
“We keep telling you that,” Evan warns him.
“I know, but they are so … hot,” Fish argues.
“Don’t forget get we have the Snow Classic for New Year’s,” Pierre adds.
“I’m happy that it’s at home and we don’t have to go anywhere for it,” Nelly states.
“Are you guys going out after?” Pierre asks.
“I’m going to sleep,” Nelly adds.
“Probably, depends on what parties we’re invited to,” Fish adds.
“What about you, Cap?” Pierre asks.
“I have no idea.”
“He hates New Year’s,” Sully adds.
“Cap hates most social things,” Bouch adds.
I roll my eyes.
The check comes, we split it and go.
I pocket my phone and turn on the TV to catch the highlights. Thankfully, Pierre and Felix have left, and silence has returned to my world.
